In anticipation of the opening of polls today, the University Board of Elections held debates last night for various positions, including those on the College of Arts & Sciences Council, Student Council and the Engineering Student Council.
"The debates are the only way interactive way for students to see the candidates," UBE Chair Steve Yang said. "They give voters a chance to see all the candidates side by side."
Yang said the debates were restructured this year -- Engineering and Commerce school debates were separate from those of the College -- in an effort to encourage more students to attend.
The candidates for Engineering Student Council President, third-year students Robert Yip and Alison Aguero, discussed their visions for the future of the council.
Yip addressed "establishing E-Stud as an umbrella organization" to foster interaction among different organizations within the Engineering School. He said he hopes to do so by allocating money for each departmental organization to create a "collaborative event" and by forming an e-mail list for presidents of departmental organizations to help them communicate. He also said he wants to create a study abroad program within the Engineering School.
Aguero said she would like to create more interaction among different Engineering students and between the Engineering School and other schools in the University.
"As soon you get into your major, you stop seeing other students," Aguero said. "You don't get to take other classes outside your department, and often you don't even go across the bridge ... to central Grounds."
Debates for the Arts & Sciences Council president, vice president and treasurer elections, as well as debates for Student Council representatives for the College, were also held last night. Candidates had the opportunity to give brief opening and closing statements, respond to prepared questions from UBE and also field questions from the audience.
The candidates for Arts & Sciences Council president, third-year student Megan Roberts, third-year student Chetin Durak and second-year Julian Campbell, discussed important issues pertaining to the office and Council in general.
Roberts explained that one of her primary goals if elected president would be to focus on students' awareness of Council.
"A lot of students don't know what we have to offer," she said.
Durak echoed this sentiment, highlighting the need to expand and publicize several programs that Council offers, such as grant programs, alumni networking and the take your professor to lunch program.
Campbell also mentioned the need for greater publicity of Council programs.
"The best way to advertise is to get a blimp," he said, eliciting laughs from the audience. "The next best way is to be efficient."
Second-year students Lindsey Turner and Kendall Wallace, both candidates running for vice president, discussed how Council could become more relevant for College students, among other issues.
First-year student Frances Grimball and third-year student Serena Rasoul, candidates for treasurer, also attended and discussed their plans for the position.
Second-year student Sterling Elmore, a candidate for Student Council representative for the College, also attended the debate and delivered a brief statement. The three other students running for the position, first-year students Ronald Barba, Matt Schrimper and Adam Erby, were not in attendance.
Additional debates for University-wide referenda as well as Student Council president and executive vice president will be held this evening.
-- Tom Madrecki, Franny Corneliussen and Katt Henry contributed to this article
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